COLUMBUS, Miss – Mississippi University for Women student Suvechhya Shresta has garnered a $10,000 national scholarship through the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, as well as a prestigious internship opportunity in Washington, D.C., this summer.

The PCAOB is a nonprofit corporation established by Congress to oversee the audits of public companies in order to protect the interests of investors and further the public interest in the preparation of informative, accurate and independent audit reports.

Shresta, who was born and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, is a senior majoring in accounting with a minor in management information systems.

She will graduate from The W in May 2015, with hopes of earning a certified public accountant license and specialize in forensic accounting.

“Accounting is a major that applies to every industry--public or private or non-profits. There is career flexibility within the accounting profession and accountants are always in demand, wherever one goes,” she said.

Shresta chose forensic accounting because she wants to be able to go back to Nepal and make a difference.

“I have witnessed how corrupted politicians take donations from developed countries like the U.S., the UK and China for development projects in Nepal, but they fail provide even half the amount for the projects,” she said. “…We do not have forensic accountants in Nepal who can investigate on their accounts and stop their crimes.”

At the urging of her mother and sister, Shresta decided to pursue a higher education in the United States.

“When I first applied to The W as an international student, I just had a picture in my mind that this university has been providing great opportunities for uplifting women in the United States.

Upon receiving scholarships to The W, Shresta said it afforded her family the opportunity to send her to school in the United States.

“When I first came to The W, it took me a while to adjust to the new culture and environment. However, MUW provided several opportunities to let me come out of my comfort zone and discover myself. It was after my freshman year that I got involved in several student-governed associations,” she said.

Currently she serves as secretary for the International Student Association and the Tennessee Valley Authority Investment Club. In February, she was initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and was appointed student vice president for the chapter on campus.

She was initiated into Delta Mu Delta International Honor Society in Business for outstanding scholastic achievements and has been named to the President’s List since her first semester at The W. She was recently presented the Overall Outstanding Student in Business Award at the College of Business and Legal Studies Awards Day.

This summer Shresta will intern in Washington, D.C., at The Washington Center Internship Program. She will work for a company called Study Sparkz at Vienna, Va., where she will be updating their accounting systems. Her internship fees will be covered by the William Burke Leadership Award.

“As I reflect on my achievements, I feel lucky to be a part of the Long Blue Line, and I will always be grateful to The W for giving me opportunities to grow and become a future leader,” she said.